This Melbourne university has ranked second in Australia in the prestigious QS World Rankings

Calling all prospective students. The latest QS World University Rankings are in, and while the University of New South Wales has swooped in to claim Australia’s number one spot for 2027, Victoria’s heavy hitters are still very much in the global chat. Melbourne might not have snagged the top gong this time, but don’t go cancelling your enrolment just yet. 

Let’s start with the hometown hero. The University of Melbourne – long the country’s academic golden child – has slipped from its top domestic ranking, but is hardly in dire straits. In fact, it’s climbed globally, landing at an impressive 22nd in the world (up from 42nd a decade ago). Not exactly a fall from grace – more like a strategic regroup with a very strong international glow-up. And Melb Uni isn’t flying solo. Monash University continues to cement itself as a global powerhouse, ranking 31st worldwide and fifth nationally. With its sprawling campuses and strong research credentials, Monash is doing exactly what Melbourne does best: quietly excelling without making too much noise.

Then there’s RMIT University, which has made one of the biggest leaps of the lot. Jumping from 252nd to 119th globally over the past decade, RMIT’s rise signals a broader shift towards industry-connected, future-focused education – something Melbourne’s universities are becoming increasingly known for.

Further down the list but still holding their own are Deakin University (227th globally), La Trobe University (241st) and Swinburne University of Technology (291st). These institutions might not be topping the charts, but they’re steadily building reps in key areas like research, innovation and graduate employability.

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So yes, Sydney might be having a moment – with UNSW taking the crown and University of Sydney not far behind at 28th globally – but Melbourne’s academic scene is far from overshadowed. And here’s why it matters. Rankings like QS aren’t just about bragging rights (although, let’s be honest, they help). They’re a major drawcard for international students, who contribute billions to Australia’s economy and bring serious cultural clout to campus life. Melbourne, with its coffee-fuelled study sessions and famously liveable vibe, remains one of the most attractive student cities in the world – rankings be damned.

Globally, the usual overachievers are still dominating. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has held onto the top spot for a staggering 15th consecutive year, while the Imperial College London and Stanford University are tied for second. Tough competition, to say the least.

But before Australia pats itself on the back too hard, there’s a catch. Despite strong gains in reputation and international appeal, the country is lagging in teaching capacity and graduate outcomes – not ideal in an increasingly cut-throat job market. Add ongoing concerns about university funding into the mix, and it’s clear there’s still work to be done behind the scenes.

Still, for Melbourne students (and future ones), things are looking pretty solid.

The 20 best-performing Australian universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027:

1. The University of New South Wales – National Ranking: 1; Global Ranking: 19
2. The University of Melbourne – National Ranking: 2; Global Ranking: 22
3. The University of Sydney – National Ranking: 3; Global Ranking: 28
4. Australian National University – National Ranking: 4; Global Ranking: 29
5. Monash University – National Ranking: 5; Global Ranking: 31
6. The University of Queensland – National Ranking: 6; Global Ranking: 40
7. The University of Western Australia – National Ranking: 7; Global Ranking: 77
8. Adelaide University – National Ranking: 8; Global Ranking: 79
9. University of Technology Sydney – National Ranking: 9; Global Ranking: 87
10. RMIT University – National Ranking: 10; Global Ranking: 119
11. Macquarie University – National Ranking: 11; Global Ranking: 126
12. Curtin University – National Ranking: 12; Global Ranking: 189
13. University of Wollongong – National Ranking: 13; Global Ranking: 195
14. Deakin University – National Ranking: 14; Global Ranking: 227
15. Griffith University – National Ranking: 15; Global Ranking: 230
16. Queensland University of Technology – National Ranking: 16; Global Ranking: 240
17. La Trobe University – National Ranking: 17; Global Ranking: 241
18. The University of Newcastle, Australia – National Ranking: 18; Global Ranking: 244
19. Swinburne University of Technology – National Ranking: 19; Global Ranking: 291
20. University of Tasmania – National Ranking: 20; Global Ranking: 311

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